TY - JOUR A1 - Tentschert, Jutta A1 - Jungnickel, Harald A1 - Reichardt, Philipp A1 - Leube, Peter A1 - Kretzschmar, Bernd A1 - Taubert, Andreas A1 - Luch, A. T1 - Identification of nano clay in composite polymers JF - Surface and interface analysis : an international journal devoted to the development and application of techniques for the analysis surfaces, interfaces and thin films N2 - Industrialized food production is in urgent search for alternative packaging materials, which can serve the requirements of a globalized world in terms of longer product shelf lives, reduced freight weight to decrease transport costs, and better barrier functionality to preserve its freshness. Polymer materials containing organically modified nano clay particles as additives are one example for a new generation of packaging materials with specific barrier functionality to actually hit the market. Clay types used for these applications are aluminosilicates, which belong to the mineral group of phyllosilicates. These consist of nano-scaled thin platelets, which are organically modified with quaternary ammonium compounds acting as spacers between the different clay layers, thereby increasing the hydrophobicity of the mineral additive. A variety of different organically modified clays are already available, and the use as additive for food packaging materials is one important application. To ensure valid risk assessments of emerging nano composite polymers used in the food packaging industry, exact analytical characterization of the organically modified clay within the polymer matrix is of paramount importance. Time-of-flight SIMS in combination with multivariate statistical analysis was used to differentiate modified clay reference materials from another. Time-of-flight SIMS spectra of a reference polymer plate, which contained one specific nano clay composite, were acquired. For each modified clay additive, a set of characteristic diagnostic ions could be identified, which then was used to successfully assign unknown clay additives to the corresponding reference material. Thus, the described methodology could be used to define and characterize nano clay within polymer matrices. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KW - ToF-SIMS KW - nanoparticles KW - nano clay KW - polymer KW - food contact material Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/sia.5546 SN - 0142-2421 SN - 1096-9918 VL - 46 SP - 334 EP - 336 PB - Wiley-Blackwell CY - Hoboken ER - TY - GEN A1 - Wischke, Christian A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Functional nanocarriers by miniaturization of polymeric materials T2 - Nanomedicine KW - function KW - microscale KW - morphology KW - nanoscale KW - polymer Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.2217/nnm.16.45 SN - 1743-5889 SN - 1748-6963 VL - 11 SP - 1507 EP - 1509 PB - Future Medicine CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Jain, Varun A1 - Wheeler, Joshua J. A1 - Ess, Daniel H. A1 - Noack, Sebastian A1 - Vacogne, Charlotte D. A1 - Schlaad, Helmut A1 - Bahr, Stephan A1 - Dietrich, Paul A1 - Meyer, Michael A1 - Thissen, Andreas A1 - Linford, Matthew R. T1 - Poly(gamma-benzyl l-glutamate), by near-ambient pressure XPS JF - Surface science spectra : SSS : an international journal & database devoted to archiving spectra from surfaces & interfaces N2 - Near-ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP-XPS) is a less traditional form of XPS that allows samples to be analyzed at relatively high pressures, i. e., at greater than 2500 Pa. In this study, poly(.- benzyl L- glutamate) (PBLG) with a molar mass of 11.3 kg/mol was analyzed by NAP-XPS; here, we show the survey, C 1s, N 1s, and O 1s narrow scans of PBLG. The C 1s peak envelope was fitted in three different ways, to five, six, or seven synthetic peaks. In each fit, there was also a shake-up signal. The O 1s narrow scan was well fit with three peaks: CZO and CvO in a 1:2 ratio from the polymer, and a higher energy signal from water vapor. Hartree-Fock orbital energies of a model monomer served as a guide to an additional fit of the C 1s envelope. KW - near-ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy KW - NAP-XPS KW - XPS KW - polymer KW - poly(gamma-benzyl L-glutamate) KW - PBLG Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1116/1.5109121 SN - 1055-5269 SN - 1520-8575 VL - 26 IS - 2 PB - American Institute of Physics CY - Melville ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lützow, Karola A1 - Weigel, Thomas A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Solvent-based fabrication method for magnetic, shape-memory nanocomposite foams JF - MRS advances N2 - This paper presents shape-memory foams that can be temporarily fixed in their compressed state and be expanded on demand. Highly porous, nanocomposite foams were prepared from a solution of polyetherurethane with suspended nanoparticles (mean aggregate size 90 nm) which have an iron(III) oxide core with a silica shell. The polymer solution with suspended nanoparticles was cooled down to -20 degrees C in a two-stage process, which was followed by freeze-drying. The average pore size increases with decreasing concentration of nanoparticles from 158 mu m to 230 mu m while the foam porosity remained constant. After fixation of a temporary form of the nanocomposite foams, shape recovery can be triggered either by heat or by exposure to an alternating magnetic field. Compressed foams showed a recovery rate of up to 76 +/- 4% in a thermochamber at 80 degrees C, and a slightly lower recovery rate of up to 65 +/- 4% in a magnetic field. KW - composite KW - foam KW - polymer KW - magnetic KW - shape memory Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2019.422 SN - 2059-8521 VL - 5 IS - 14-15 SP - 785 EP - 795 PB - Cambridge Univ. Press CY - Cambridge ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Behl, Marc A1 - Zhao, Qian A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Glucose-responsive shape-memory cryogels JF - Journal of materials research : JMR N2 - Boronic ester bonds can be reversibly formed between phenylboronic acid (PBA) and triol moieties. Here, we aim at a glucose-induced shape-memory effect by implementing such bonds as temporary netpoints, which are cleavable by glucose and by minimizing the volume change upon stimulation by a porous cryogel structure. The polymer system consisted of a semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) architecture, in which the triol moieties were part of the permanent network and the PBA moieties were located in the linear polymer diffused into the semi-IPN. In an alkaline medium (pH = 10), the swelling ratio was approximately 35, independent of C-glu varied between 0 and 300 mg/dL. In bending experiments, shape fixity R-f approximate to 80% and shape recovery R-r approximate to 100% from five programming/recovery cycles could be determined. R-r was a function of C-glu in the range from 0 to 300 mg/dL, which accords with the fluctuation range of C-glu in human blood. In this way, the shape-memory hydrogels could play a role in future diabetes treatment options. KW - shape memory KW - polymer KW - porosity Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2020.204 SN - 0884-2914 SN - 2044-5326 VL - 35 IS - 18 SP - 2396 EP - 2404 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Balk, Maria A1 - Behl, Marc A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Actuators based on oligo[(epsilon-caprolactone)-co-glycolide] with accelerated hydrolytic degradation JF - MRS advances : a journal of the Materials Research Society (MRS) N2 - Polyester-based shape-memory polymer actuators are multifunctional materials providing reversible macroscopic shape shifts as well as hydrolytic degradability. Here, the function-function interdependencies (between shape shifts and degradation behaviour) will determine actuation performance and its life time. In this work, glycolide units were incorporated in poly(epsilon-caprolactone) based actuator materials in order to achieve an accelerated hydrolytic degradation and to explore the function-function relationship. Three different oligo[(epsilon-caprolactone)-co-glycolide] copolymers (OCGs) with similar molecular weights (10.5 +/- 0.5 kg center dot mol(-1)) including a glycolide content of 8, 16, and 26 mol% (ratio 1:1:1 wt%) terminated with methacrylated moieties were crosslinked. The obtained actuators provided a broad melting transition in the range from 27 to 44 degrees C. The hydrolytic degradation of programmed OCG actuators (200% of elongation) resulted in a reduction of sample mass to 51 wt% within 21 days at pH = 7.4 and 40 degrees C. Degradation results in a decrease of T-m associated to the actuating units and increasing T-m associated to the skeleton forming units. The actuation capability decreased almost linear as function of time. After 11 days of hydrolytic degradation the shape-memory functionality was lost. Accordingly, a fast degradation behaviour as required, e.g., for actuator materials intended as implant material can be realized. KW - actuation KW - shape memory KW - polymer KW - crystalline Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2019.447 SN - 2059-8521 VL - 5 IS - 12-13 SP - 655 EP - 666 PB - Cambridge University Press CY - New York, NY ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Izraylit, Victor A1 - Gould, Oliver E. C. A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Investigating the phase-morphology of PLLA-PCL multiblock copolymer/PDLA blends cross-linked using stereocomplexation JF - MRS advances N2 - The macroscale function of multicomponent polymeric materials is dependent on their phase-morphology. Here, we investigate the morphological structure of a multiblock copolymer consisting of poly(L-lactide) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) segments (PLLA-PCL), physically cross-linked by stereocomplexation with a low molecular weight poly(D-lactide) oligomer (PDLA). The effects of blend composition and PLLA-PCL molecular structure on the morphology are elucidated by AFM, TEM and SAXS. We identify the formation of a lattice pattern, composed of PLA domains within a PCL matrix, with an average domain spacing d0 = 12 - 19 nm. The size of the PLA domains were found to be proportional to the block length of the PCL segment of the copolymer and inversely proportional to the PDLA content of the blend. Changing the PLLA-PCL / PDLA ratio caused a shift in the melt transition Tm attributed to the PLA stereocomplex crystallites, indicating partial amorphous phase dilution of the PLA and PCL components within the semicrystalline material. By elucidating the phase structure and thermal character of multifunctional PLLA-PCL / PDLA blends, we illustrate how composition affects the internal structure and thermal properties of multicomponent polymeric materials. This study should facilitate the more effective incorporation of a variety of polymeric structural units capable of stimuli responsive phase transitions, where an understanding the phase-morphology of each component will enable the production of multifunctional soft-actuators with enhanced performance. KW - polymer KW - blend KW - nanostructure KW - morphology Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2019.465 SN - 2059-8521 VL - 5 IS - 14-15 SP - 699 EP - 707 PB - Cambridge Univ. Press CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Behl, Marc A1 - Balk, Maria A1 - Mansfeld, Ulrich A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Phase morphology of multiblock copolymers differing in sequence of blocks JF - Macromolecular materials and engineering N2 - The chemical nature, the number length of integrated building blocks, as well as their sequence structure impact the phase morphology of multiblock copolymers (MBC) consisting of two non-miscible block types. It is hypothesized that a strictly alternating sequence should impact phase segregation. A library of well-defined MBC obtained by coupling oligo(epsilon-caprolactone) (OCL) of different molecular weights (2, 4, and 8 kDa) with oligotetrahydrofuran (OTHF, 2.9 kDa) via Steglich esterification results in strictly alternating (MBCalt) or random (MBCran) MBC. The three different series has a weight average molecular weight (M-w) of 65 000, 165 000, and 168 000 g mol(-1) for MBCalt and 80 500, 100 000, and 147 600 g mol(-1) for MBCran. When the chain length of OCL building blocks is increased, the tendency for phase segregation is facilitated, which is attributed to the decrease in chain mobility within the MBC. Furthermore, it is found that the phase segregation disturbs the crystallization by causing heterogeneities in the semi-crystalline alignment, which is attributed to an increase of the disorder of the OCL semi-crystalline alignment. KW - electron microscopy KW - multiblock copolymers KW - phase morphology KW - polymer KW - libraries KW - sequence structures KW - wide angle x‐ ray scattering Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.202000672 SN - 1439-2054 VL - 306 IS - 3 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Abbasi, Ali A1 - Xu, Yaolin A1 - Khezri, Ramin A1 - Etesami, Mohammad A1 - Lin, C. A1 - Kheawhom, Soorathep A1 - Lu, Yan T1 - Advances in characteristics improvement of polymeric membranes/separators for zinc-air batteries JF - Materials Today Sustainability N2 - Zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are gaining popularity for a wide range of applications due to their high energy density, excellent safety, and environmental friendliness. A membrane/separator is a critical component of ZABs, with substantial implications for battery performance and stability, particularly in the case of a battery in solid state format, which has captured increased attention in recent years. In this review, recent advances as well as insight into the architecture of polymeric membrane/separators for ZABs including porous polymer separators (PPSs), gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs), solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) and anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are discussed. The paper puts forward strategies to enhance stability, ionic conductivity, ionic selectivity, electrolyte storage capacity and mechanical properties for each type of polymeric membrane. In addition, the remaining major obstacles as well as the most potential avenues for future research are examined in detail. KW - Ionic selectivity KW - Ionic conductivity KW - Gel polymer KW - Ion exchange KW - Porous KW - polymer Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtsust.2022.100126 SN - 2589-2347 VL - 18 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - THES A1 - Sharma, Anjali T1 - Optical manipulation of multi-responsive microgels N2 - This dissertation focuses on the understanding of the optical manipulation of microgels dispersed in aqueous solution of azobenzene containing surfactant. The work consists of three parts where each part is a systematic investigation of the (1) photo-isomerization kinetics of the surfactant in complex with the microgel polymer matrix, (2) light driven diffusiosmosis (LDDO) in microgels and (3) photo-responsivity of microgel on complexation with spiropyran. The first part comprises three publications where the first one [P1] investigates the photo-isomerization kinetics and corresponding isomer composition at a photo-stationary state of the photo-sensitive surfactant conjugated with charged polymers or micro sized polymer networks to understand the structural response of such photo-sensitive complexes. We report that the photo-isomerization of the azobenzene-containing cationic surfactant is slower in a polymer complex compared to being purely dissolved in an aqueous solution. The surfactant aggregates near the polyelectrolyte chains at concentrations much lower than the bulk critical micelle concentration. This, along with the inhibition of the photo-isomerization kinetics due to steric hindrance within the densely packed aggregates, pushes the isomer-ratio to a higher trans-isomer concentration for all irradiation wavelengths. The second publication [P2] combines experimental results and non-adiabatic dynamic simulations for the same surfactant molecules embedded in the micelles with absorption spectroscopy measurements of micellar solutions to uncover the reasons responsible for the slowdown in photo induced trans → cis azobenzene isomerization at concentrations higher than the critical micelle concentration (CMC). The simulations reveal a decrease of isomerization quantum yields for molecules inside the micelles and observes a reduction of extinction coefficients upon micellization. These findings explain the deceleration of the trans → cis switching in micelles of the azobenzene-containing surfactants. Finally, the third publication [P3] focusses on the kinetics of adsorption and desorption of the same surfactant within anionic microgels in the dark and under continuous irradiation. Experimental data demonstrate, that microgels can serve as a selective absorber of the trans isomers. The interaction of the isomers with the gel matrix induces a remotely controllable collapse or swelling on appropriate irradiation wavelengths. Measuring the kinetics of the microgel size response and knowing the exact isomer composition under light exposure, we calculate the adsorption rate of the trans-isomers. The second part comprises two publications. The first publication [P4] reports on the phenomenon of light-driven diffusioosmotic (DO) long-range attractive and repulsive interactions between micro-sized objects, whose range extends several times the size of microparticles and can be adjusted to point towards or away from the particle by varying irradiation parameters such as intensity or wavelength of light. The phenomenon is fueled by the aforementioned photosensitive surfactant. The complex interaction of dynamic exchange of isomers and photo-isomerization rate yields to relative concentrations gradients of the isomers in the vicinity of micro-sized object inducing a local diffusioosmotic (DO) flow thereby making a surface act as a micropump. The second publication [P5] exclusively aims the visualization and investigation of the DO flows generated from microgels by using small tracer particles. Similar to micro sized objects, the flow is able to push adjacent tracers over distances several times larger than microgel size. Here we report that the direction and the strength of the l-LDDO depends on the intensity, irradiation wavelength and the amount of surfactant adsorbed by the microgel. For example, the flow pattern around a microgel is directed radially outward and can be maintained quasi-indefinitely under exposure at 455 nm when the trans:cis ratio is 2:1, whereas irradiation at 365 nm, generates a radially transient flow pattern, which inverts at lower intensities. Lastly, the third part consists of one publication [P6] which, unlike the previous works, reports on the study of the kinetics of photo- and thermo-switching of a new surfactant namely, spiropyran, upon exposure with light of different wavelengths and its interaction with p(NIPAM-AA) microgels. The surfactant being an amphiphile, switches between its ring closed spiropyran (SP) form and ring open merocyanine (MC) form which results in a change in the hydrophilic–hydrophobic balance of the surfactant as MC being a zwitterionic form along with the charged head group, generates three charges on the molecule. Therefore, the MC form of the surfactant is more hydrophilic than in the case of the neutral SP state. Here, we investigate the initial shrinkage of the gel particles via charge compensation on first exposure to SP molecules which results from the complex formation of the molecules with the gel matrix, triggering them to become photo responsive. The size and VPTT of the microgels during irradiation is shown to be a combination of heating up of the solution during light absorption by the surfactant (more pronounced in the case of UV irradiation) and the change in the hydrophobicity of the surfactant. N2 - Diese Dissertation befasst sich mit dem Verständnis der optischen Manipulation von Mikrogelen, die in einer wässrigen Lösung eines azobenzol-haltigen Tensides mit einer kationischen Kopfgruppe, welches licht-sensitiv ist, dispergiert sind. Die Arbeit besteht aus drei Teilen, wobei jeder Teil eine systematische Untersuchung der (1) Photoisomerisierungskinetik des Tensids im Komplex mit der Mikrogel-Polymermatrix, (2) einer daraus induzierten lokalen lichtinduzierten Diffusiosmose (eng. local light driven diffusio osmosis, l-LDDO) in der Nähe von Mikrogelen und (3) der photo-responsivität von Mikrogelen bei Komplexierung mit Spiropyran darstellt. Der erste Teil umfasst drei Veröffentlichungen, von denen die erste [P1] die Photoisomerisierungskinetik und die entsprechende Isomerenzusammensetzung im photostationären Zustand dieses Tensids in Komplex mit Polyelektrolyten oder mikroskopisch kleinen Polymernetzwerken untersucht. Dabei verläuft die trans-cis-Kinetik in einem Polymerkomplex langsamer als in reinen wässrigen Lösungen, da innerhalb der Polyelektrolytnetzwerken eine erhöhte Mizellisierungstendez des licht-schaltbare Tensides vorliegt. In einer Mizelle ist die geometrische Molekülstrukturänderung vom trans- zum cis-Isomer kinetisch durch sterische Hindernisse von dicht gepackten benachbarten Tensiden gehemmt und führt dazu, dass das Isomerverhältnis bei allen Bestrahlungswellenlängen zu höheren trans-Isomerkonzentration im photostationären Zustand verschoben sind. Diese experimentellen Ergebnisse werden in der zweiten Veröffentlichung [P2] mittels nicht-adiabatische dynamische Simulationen unterstützt, wobei die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Moleküle, welche einer Mizelle aggregiert sind, eine Abnahme der Isomerisierungsquantenausbeute mit einer gleichzeitigen Verringerung der Extinktionskoeffizienten die Verlangsamung der Kinetik bestätigen. Die dritte Veröffentlichung [P3] befasst sich mit der Kinetik des dynamischen Austauschverhalten desselben Tensids in anionischen Mikrogelen im Dunkeln aber auch unter kontinuierlicher Beleuchtung. Dabei kann die Größe des Mikrogeles bei geeigneten Beleuchtungswellenlängen zu einem lichtgesteuerten Kollaps oder Schwellen des Mikrogeles vollständig reversible induziert werden. Möglich ist dies, weil die Mikrogele als selektiver Absorber für die trans-Isomere dienen. Durch die Messung der Kinetik der Größenänderung des Mikrogels und die Kenntnis der kinetischen Daten aus den vorigen Publikationen wurde die Adsorptionsrate des trans-Isomere zum Mikrogel berechnet. Der zweite Teil umfasst zwei Veröffentlichungen. Der erste [P4] berichtet über das tiefere Verständnis der lokalen lichtinduzierten Diffusioosmose (l-LDDO) an verschiedenen Mikroobjekten, die abstoßende oder anziehende Ströme induzieren. Triebkraft dieses Mechanismus ist eine Verschiebung des cis-Isomerengleichgewichtes bei Beleuchtung und dessen resultierenden Konzentrationsgradienten der Isomere in der Nähe dieser Objekte, welche durch eine komplexe Wechselwirkung zwischen dem dynamischen Austausch von beiden Isomeren und einer unterschiedlichen Photo-Isomerisierungsrate an der Grenzfläche im Vergleich zum Kontinuum vorliegen. Stärke des l-LDDO hängt von typischen Lichtparameter (Intensität und Wellenlänge) und der Größe und Oberfläche der Mikropartikels ab. Unter geeigneten Bedingungen (hohe Lichtintensität) kann fast jede Oberfläche als Mikropumpe wirken. Die zweite Publikation [P5] befasst sich mit der Visualisierung und Untersuchung des l-LDDO von Mikrogelen unter Verwendung von kleinen Tracerpartikel. Ähnlich wie bei mikroskopisch kleinen Objekten können auch hier benachbarte Tracer über Entfernungen um ein Vielfaches größer als die Größe des Mikrogels bewegt werden. Die Richtung und die Stärke des l-LDDO hängt von der Intensität, der Wellenlänge der Bestrahlung und der Menge des vom Mikrogel adsorbierten Tensids ab. So ist beispielsweise das Strömungsmuster um ein Mikrogel radial nach außen gerichtet und kann bei einer Bestrahlung mit blauem Licht (455 nm) quasi unbegrenzt aufrechterhalten werden, während eine Bestrahlung mit UV-Licht (365 nm) mit niedrigen Intensitäten ein temporäres radial verlaufendes Strömungsmuster zum Mikrogel erzeugt. Schließlich besteht der dritte und letzte Teil dieser Dissertation aus einer Veröffentlichung [P6], die im Gegensatz zu den vorangegangenen Arbeiten über die Untersuchung der Kinetik des Photo- und Thermoschaltens eines Spiropyran basierten Tensides mit einer kationischen Kopfgruppe bei der Bestrahlung mit Licht verschiedener Wellenlängen und seiner Wechselwirkung mit Mikrogelen berichtet. Das Tensid wechselt zwischen seiner ringgeschlossenen Spiropyranform (SP) und seiner ringoffenen Merocyaninform (MC), was zu einer Änderung des hydrophilen/hydrophoben Gleichgewichts des Tensids führt. Die anfängliche Schrumpfung der Mikrogele bei der ersten Exposition gegenüber SP-Molekülen wurde untersucht, die auf einen Ladungsausgleich durch die Komplexierung der Moleküle mit der Gelmatrix zurückzuführen ist, wodurch das Mikrogel lichtempfindlich wird. Darüber hinaus wird gezeigt, dass die Temperatur des Größen- und Volumenphasenübergangs der Mikrogele unter Beleuchtung eine Kombination aus dem lichtinduzierten Austauschverhalten und der Erwärmung der Lösung durch die Lichtabsorption des Tensids ist, die unter UV-Bestrahlung besonders ausgeprägt ist. KW - optical manipulation KW - microgel KW - kinetics KW - surfactant KW - photo-isomerization KW - polymer KW - azobenzene KW - spectroscopy KW - microscopy Y1 - 2023 ER -